DON’T SEARCH CORPS MEMBERS PHONES INDISCRIMINATELY, KWARA CP WARNS OFFICERS

 The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has warned police officers against indiscriminately searching the mobile phones of National Youth Service Corps members under the guise of checking for involvement in internet fraud..

Adekimi gave the warning during a working visit to corps members undergoing the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course in Kwara State, where he also assured them of adequate security throughout their service year.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital.

The statement said the Commissioner of Police was received at the NYSC Orientation Camp by the state Coordinator, Musa Kafarda, who commended the police boss for his commitment to the security and welfare of corps members deployed to the state.

Adekimi also reminded the corps members of their responsibilities as young Nigerians, describing them as important agents of positive change who should make meaningful contributions to their host communities during their service year.

He urged them to use social media responsibly and avoid digital thuggery and other activities capable of undermining peace and public order.

“You are leaders of today and possess enormous potential to contribute positively to national development.

“Make your service year meaningful, contribute positively to your host communities, use social media responsibly and stay away from digital thuggery and every other activity capable of undermining peace,” Adekimi advised.

The police commissioner, however, assured the corps members that they were entitled to be treated with dignity and respect in their dealings with police personnel.

“No police officer should indiscriminately search through the mobile phones of corps members on the road under the guise of checking whether they are involved in internet fraud,” Adekimi said.

He encouraged any corps member who encounters inappropriate conduct by police personnel or has a security concern to report through the command’s dedicated channels or approach the nearest police formation for assistance.

The statement quoted him as asking the corps members to see the police as partners throughout their service year and to freely share credible information that could help security agencies protect them and their host communities.

“Do not hesitate to report any security concern or inappropriate conduct through the Command’s dedicated channels or approach the nearest Police formation for prompt assistance,” the CP said.

Adekimi also commended the Camp Commandant and other security personnel for their efforts in maintaining what he described as a safe and conducive environment for the corps members.

He wished the prospective corps members a productive orientation exercise and a rewarding service year, urging them to leave positive footprints in the communities where they would eventually be posted across the state.

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SYNDICATE HELD 42 VICTIMS HOSTAGE PROMISING FAKE JOBS – NSCDC

 No fewer than 42 young men and women were lured with promises of non-existent jobs in South Africa, Malaysia and Ivory Coast, and held hostage in a secret five-bedroom facility in Calabar.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Cross River State Command, explained that the victims, aged between 22 and 36, were rescued on August 14 and 15, 2026, during a coordinated, intelligence-led raid an “indoctrination and holding camp” run by a transnational fraud syndicate.

The State NSCDC Commandant, Okarazu Chima on Tuesday, said the syndicate operated under the guise of a multi-level networking company and tricked desperate job seekers into paying millions of naira for “international document and visa processing.”

He said, “Once the money is paid, the foreign job narrative is instantly abandoned. The victims are then held, heavily indoctrinated, and forced into an illegal pyramid scheme.

“They are coerced to recruit at least two additional victims to have any hope of recovering their stolen funds.

“The victims were told they would be selling jewellery, but not a single person interviewed had seen any physical product.

“It is all a phantom enterprise built on visual representations on websites and mobile phones”.

The commandant said operatives also arrested the prime cell leader of the syndicate, Timothy Bayi, a native of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, on the night of August 15.

Bayi allegedly linked the group to a major service compliance and logistics company in Lagos, a claim the NSCDC said it is currently verifying.

He added said eight of the 42 persons in custody are foreign nationals found without valid travel documents.

“We have 28 Nigerian males, six Nigerian females, five Cameroonians and three Beninoise.

“We are working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service to properly profile the undocumented foreign nationals,” Eke added.

He warned that the network is highly compartmentalised to shield top bosses, adding, “We will pull this network up by its roots, no matter how deep or highly placed their corporate sponsors may be.”

The Commandant cautioned parents and job-seeking youths against get-rich-quick schemes and anyone demanding millions for foreign jobs.

Timothy Bayi, the cell leader said a friend Samuel introduced him into the network marketing business three years ago.

One of the victims from Benue State Ogar said a friend offered him a job in the United Kingdom.

“I attended an interview online and was informed that I was successful in June this year. My relatives helped me raise over one million which I gave to the firm only to end up in a room in a secretive five bedroom facility in Calabar”, he said

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ACC. KHAIRAT TAIWO!

 Happy Birthday, Ma! 🎂🎉

Happy Birthday to an exceptional woman, Dr. Khairat Taiwo, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service.

Your dedication, discipline, leadership and commitment to the Service continue to inspire those around you. You are not only a distinguished officer, but also a role model and an embodiment of professionalism, courage and purposeful leadership.

As you celebrate another year, may you continue to rise from strength to strength, attain greater heights in your career, and leave an even greater legacy in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

May the Almighty bless you with sound health, wisdom, renewed strength, greater achievements and many more fulfilling years.

Happy Birthday, Ma. Your leadership inspires, your journey motivates, and your excellence sets a standard worth following. 🎂🥂🎉

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INEC DECLARES ADELEKE WINNER OF OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared the incumbent governor of Osun State and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, winner of the state’s governorship election.

Adeleke secured 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 444,815 votes.

Therefore, Adeleke won his re-election with 66,252-vote margin.

The returning officer Prof Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole announced the result on Sunday after collation was completed across the state’s 30 local government areas.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke thanks President Tinubu

Reacting to his victory, Governor Adeleke thanked President Bola Tinubu, adding that the President called to congratulate him.

Adeleke, who described his re-election as a victory for democracy and Osun people, thanked the president for ensuring democracy “lives on”.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank Mr. President. He has called me and he has congratulated me. Thank you Mr. President for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it,” he said.

‘I expect Oyebamiji to call me’

 

Also, Adeleke declared the win as victory for democracy and the people of Osun State, and expressed appreciation to God.

He also stated that he was expecting the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, to call and congratulate him, noting that for him “It’s no victor, no vanquished”.

LGs won by Adeleke

From results announced by INEC, Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, won 11.

The Accord Party candidate won the following 19 local government areas:

Ede North: Adeleke — 35,427; Oyebamiji — 10,283

Osogbo: Adeleke — 36,480; Oyebamiji — 30,474

Ede South: Adeleke — 26,188; Oyebamiji — 6,219

Iwo: Adeleke — 27,085; Oyebamiji — 19,660

Ife East: Adeleke — 27,201; Oyebamiji — 18,600

Ife Central: Adeleke — 21,171; Oyebamiji — 15,913

Ifelodun: Adeleke — 21,107; Oyebamiji — 18,396

Oriade: Adeleke — 21,343; Oyebamiji — 14,863

Egbedore: Adeleke — 19,278; Oyebamiji — 11,194

Odo Otin: Adeleke — 18,003; Oyebamiji — 15,435

Ilesa West: Adeleke — 16,196; Oyebamiji — 12,756

Ila: Adeleke — 16,211; Oyebamiji — 12,934

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Ayedaade: Adeleke — 16,681; Oyebamiji — 15,719

Ife North: Adeleke — 13,879; Oyebamiji — 9,613

Orolu: Adeleke — 12,352; Oyebamiji — 10,622

Boluwaduro: Adeleke — 7,118; Oyebamiji — 7,050

Ayedire: Adeleke — 11,073; Oyebamiji — 9,910

Ifedayo: Adeleke — 7,427; Oyebamiji — 6,836

Ejigbo: Adeleke — 18,458; Oyebamiji — 16,195

LGAs won by APC

Oyebamiji led in 11 local government areas, including several areas where the APC traditionally enjoys substantial support.

The APC won Ilesa East with 16,208 votes against Adeleke’s 12,280; Boripe with 19,963 against 12,448; Irepodun with 15,713 against 14,504; and Obokun with 16,120 against 12,023.

Oyebamiji also won in Atakumosa West, Irewole, Atakumosa East, Isokan, Olaoluwa, Ife South and Olorunda.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, generally recorded significantly lower figures, although it secured 5,053 votes in Ejigbo, its strongest showing among the figures supplied.

The Mathematics

The most revealing feature of the election was not simply the number of local governments won by each candidate, but the size of the margins recorded in their respective strongholds.

Some of Adeleke’s victories were particularly large, creating a substantial cushion that APC struggled to erase with its own victories.

The clearest example came from the Ede axis.

Ede delivered huge advantage

In Ede-North, Accord scored 35,427 votes, while APC recorded 10,283. That gave Adeleke a margin of 25,144 votes in one local government. The result in Ede-South was equally significant.

Accord polled 26,188 votes, compared with APC’s 6,219, giving the governor another 19,969-vote advantage.

Combined, the two Ede councils gave Accord 61,615 votes, against APC’s 16,502. That amounted to a 45,113-vote net advantage for Adeleke from just two LGAs. It was a margin that would prove difficult for APC to neutralise elsewhere.

Osogbo adds to Adeleke’s advantage

The state capital also contributed significantly to Adeleke’s performance.

In Osogbo Local Government Area, Accord secured 36,480 votes, while APC polled 30,474. Adeleke therefore won the council by 6,006 votes.

The ADC scored 1,503 votes in Osogbo, its strongest performance among the 30 LGAs covered by the supplied results.

Osogbo was important not only because of its political significance, but also because the result demonstrated Adeleke’s ability to remain competitive in an urban centre where APC also had considerable support.

Adeleke dominates the Ife axis

The Ife area was another important component of the governor’s victory.

Accord won Ife-East, polling 27,201 votes against APC’s 18,600, a margin of 8,601 votes. In Ife-Central, Adeleke secured 21,171 votes, while APC recorded 15,913, giving Accord a further 5,258-vote advantage.

Accord also won Ife-North, where it scored 13,879 votes against APC’s 9,613, a margin of 4,266 votes. APC, however, secured Ife-South, polling 14,678 votes against Accord’s 13,507, a margin of 1,171 votes.

Overall, the four Ife councils produced 75,758 votes for Accord and 58,804 for APC, giving Adeleke a combined advantage of 16,954 votes.

Egbedore, Iwo and Oriade strengthen the lead

Adeleke’s victory was not confined to Ede, Osogbo and Ife. In Egbedore, Accord scored 19,278 votes, against APC’s 11,194, producing a margin of 8,084 votes.

In Iwo, Adeleke polled 27,085 votes, while Oyebamiji recorded 19,660, giving Accord a margin of 7,425 votes.

The governor also carried Oriade, where Accord secured 21,343 votes, compared with APC’s 14,863 — a difference of 6,480 votes.

These victories helped Adeleke accumulate the substantial overall lead that emerged from the collation.

APC remained a formidable challenger

Despite losing the election, the results showed that APC remained a major political force in Osun.

Oyebamiji won 11 of the 30 LGAs and recorded some impressive margins.

His strongest performance in the supplied results came from Irewole, where APC polled 29,972 votes, against Accord’s 10,934.

That gave APC a 19,038-vote advantage in the local government. APC also won Boripe, with 19,963 votes against Accord’s 12,448, a margin of 7,515 votes.

It further secured victories in Olorunda, Ilesa-East, Ife-South, Ola-Oluwa, Isokan, Obokun, Atakumosa-West and Atakumosa-East.

But the challenge for APC was the distribution and size of those victories. The party won several LGAs, but its combined margins were not enough to offset the much larger margins accumulated by Adeleke in his strongest areas.

Adeleke won big where it mattered

The 2026 election therefore provides an interesting lesson in electoral mathematics. A candidate does not necessarily need to win every local government to secure a statewide victory.

What matters is the aggregate vote total.

Adeleke’s 19 victories produced 511,067 votes, while APC’s 11 winning LGAs contributed to an overall total of 444,815 votes.

The difference was 66,252 votes. The Ede results alone accounted for a substantial portion of that overall margin.

This explains why APC’s victories in several councils, including Irewole and Boripe, were insufficient to overturn Adeleke’s advantage.

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CDCFIB RECRUITMENT: FG DISOWN POSTPONEMENT NOTICE

 The Federal Ministry of Interior has dismissed a widely circulated notice claiming that the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, has been postponed until after the 2027 general election.

The ministry described the document with the title: “CDCFIB Recruitment Update”, dated August 11, 2026, as fake and fraudulently attributed to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. 

In a statement issued on Thursday, it said, “The Ministry wishes to state unequivocally that this press release is fake, unauthorised, and fraudulent. The Minister did not sign or issue this statement”.

The ministry also rejected claims that funding challenges had forced the government to suspend the exercise, insisting that no such decision had been taken.

“No decision has been made to defer the recruitment exercise until after the 2027 general election. The exercise is ongoing,” the statement added.

 The clarification comes amid concerns among applicants following the circulation of the alleged postponement notice on social media. 

The ministry urged the public to rely only on official communication channels for recruitment updates.

 “Members of the public and applicants are strongly advised to disregard this document in its entirety and to rely solely on information published through the Ministry’s and CDCFIB’s verified platforms,” it stated.

 The statement was electronically signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, who also warned applicants to be cautious of misleading recruitment information circulating online. 

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How to Seek Justice in Nigeria When You Are Blackmailed or Defamed Online

  

The internet has made communication easier, but it has also created new ways for people to threaten, harass, blackmail, impersonate or damage the reputation of others.

If someone is using Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, a blog or another online platform to threaten you, demand money from you, publish harmful false allegations about you or expose your private information, you should not assume that you have no legal remedy.

Nigeria has laws and

institutions through which victims can seek protection, investigation and, where appropriate, compensation or other legal remedies.

1. Understand What Has Happened

The first step is to identify the conduct involved.

Online abuse may include:

- Blackmail or extortion

- Threats of violence

- Cyberstalking or online harassment

- Impersonation

- Publication of false and damaging allegations

- Publication of private or sensitive information

- Threats to expose private photographs, videos or information

- Fraudulent online accounts

- Repeated threatening messages

- Attempts to damage someone's professional or personal reputation

Not every unpleasant comment is automatically a criminal offence or defamation. The exact facts, wording, intention and circumstances matter.

Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act as amended in 2024, certain online communications involving threats, harassment, extortion and threats to a person's reputation can constitute offences.

2. Do Not Delete the Evidence

This is one of the most important steps.

Before blocking the person or reporting the account, preserve as much evidence as possible.

Keep:

- Screenshots of the posts or messages

- Screen recordings where useful

- The person's username and profile URL

- The date and time of each publication or message

- Links to the posts

- WhatsApp conversations

- Emails

- Voice notes

- Photographs or videos

- Phone numbers and account details

- Evidence of money demanded or transferred

- Names of people who witnessed the publication

- Evidence showing how the publication affected your reputation or work

Do not edit the original screenshots in a way that removes important information.

Where possible, preserve the original electronic material and keep copies in more than one secure location.

3. Do Not Pay a Blackmailer Simply Because They Threaten You

If someone is demanding money or another benefit while threatening to expose information, photographs, videos or allegations about you, avoid negotiating recklessly or sending money without obtaining proper advice.

Paying once does not necessarily mean the person will stop. They may demand more.

If you are in immediate danger, prioritise your physical safety and contact the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.

4. Report the Account or Content to the Platform

You can report the offending material directly to the platform involved.

For example, depending on the situation, you may report:

- Harassment or bullying

- Threats

- Impersonation

- Non-consensual intimate material

- Fraud

- Defamatory or abusive content

- Privacy violations

However, do not rely solely on the platform report if the conduct may amount to a crime. Preserve your evidence before the content disappears.

5. Report Cybercrime to the Nigeria Police Force

For conduct that may constitute a cybercrime, you can make a complaint to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

The NPF-NCCC provides an electronic reporting portal for cybercrime complaints and indicates that reports can include supporting evidence such as screenshots and other relevant records.

"NPF-NCCC Cybercrime e-Reporting Portal" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/1)

When making a complaint, provide a clear chronology:

What happened → when it happened → who was involved → what platform was used → what was said/done → what evidence you have → whether money or another demand was made → how the conduct affected you.

6. Understand the Difference Between Blackmail and Defamation

These are not necessarily the same thing.

Blackmail/Extortion

This generally involves using threats or other unlawful pressure to obtain money, property or something of value.

The Cybercrimes Act 2024 amendment specifically addresses certain electronic threats involving extortion, including threats concerning a person's reputation.

Defamation

Defamation generally concerns the publication of material that unlawfully damages another person's reputation.

Nigerian law recognises defamatory matter as material capable of injuring a person's reputation by exposing the person to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or damaging the person's profession or trade.

Online publications can therefore raise potential defamation issues, but whether a particular statement is legally defamatory depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

7. Speak to a Nigerian Lawyer

If the allegation is serious—particularly where it affects your employment, business, marriage, professional reputation or personal safety—it is advisable to speak with a Nigerian lawyer.

A lawyer can examine the evidence and determine whether you may have grounds for:

- A demand or cease-and-desist letter

- A civil defamation claim

- An application for an injunction or other court order

- A claim for damages

- A criminal complaint

- Other appropriate legal proceedings

Do not assume that every case should be handled through the police. Defamation may involve civil proceedings, while blackmail, threats or other cyber offences may involve criminal investigation. In some cases, both civil and criminal remedies may be relevant.

8. Consider Your Data-Protection Rights

If someone or an organisation has unlawfully processed, disclosed or exposed your personal information, data-protection law may also become relevant.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 provides data-subject rights and allows an aggrieved data subject to lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in appropriate circumstances.

The NDPC also provides mechanisms for privacy complaints and lists rights including rectification, objection, restriction and erasure in applicable circumstances.

"Nigeria Data Protection Commission" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/6)

However, data-protection remedies are not a replacement for reporting a criminal threat or blackmail to law enforcement.

9. Keep a Complete Case File

Create one folder containing:

A. Evidence

Screenshots, recordings, links, messages and downloaded files.

B. Timeline

Write down exactly what happened and when.

C. Identity information

Record usernames, profile links, phone numbers and other information that may help identify the person.

D. Financial evidence

Keep bank transfers, payment receipts or demands where money was requested or paid.

E. Reports

Keep copies of reports made to social-media platforms, the police and other authorities.

F. Legal documents

Keep letters from your lawyer, police statements, petitions and court documents.

A well-organised evidence file can make it easier for your lawyer or investigators to understand the case.

10. Do Not Retaliate With Your Own Threats

If someone defames or threatens you online, avoid responding with threats, insults or the publication of their private information.

Your response should be measured.

Instead of escalating the argument online, preserve the evidence and use the appropriate legal and platform-reporting channels.

11. What Justice May Look Like

Depending on the facts and the legal route taken, a victim may seek different forms of relief, which can include:

- Investigation of an alleged offence

- Identification of an anonymous perpetrator through lawful investigative processes

- Removal of offending content

- An undertaking to stop further publication

- Court orders restraining further publication

- Correction or retraction

- Compensation or damages where legally available

- Criminal prosecution where an offence has been established

The available remedy depends on the facts, evidence and applicable Nigerian law.

Conclusion

Being attacked, blackmailed or falsely accused online can be extremely stressful, but the internet does not place a person beyond the reach of the law.

The most important things are to stay calm, preserve the evidence, avoid paying or retaliating recklessly, report serious cybercrime to the appropriate authorities, and obtain legal advice where necessary.

If the matter involves immediate threats to life or physical safety, seek urgent assistance from law-enforcement authorities rather than attempting to handle the situation alone.

Important: This article is provided for general information and public education. It is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified Nigerian legal practitioner. Laws and procedures may differ depending on the facts and jurisdiction, and readers should obtain professional legal advice for their individual circumstances.

Cycler Gist

Stories • Information • Perspectives

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